The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-05
How a BOotblack Prospered.

d little over seven years ago boOtblacE
from San Francisco wandered to this city.
He managed in some way to exc out scaDty
living by following his profession. During
the six months or so that he was around our
streets he made many friends through his
quiet, respectful manner and bright and in
telligent face. He differed from typical news
boys and bootblacks OF the metropolis in
many ways. AT last he disappeared from our
city as quietly as had been his arrival. No
one knew whittier or why he had gone, as
he made DO cOnfidants while here, and kept
his business to himself. Last Saturday he
returned to this city from the northern
country on his way to San Francisco. But
not as bootblack. The bright, intelligent
faced boy had developed into a tall, finely
proportioned man with a sun-burned, happy
countenance. The change is accounted In
the following story, told by himself:
He had started from San Francisco
in the spring of 1879, with the in
tention of going to the northern
counties to take up land. DE had left all
of his earnings which he had been saving up
for the purpose, with his mother and younger
brother, and started out to work his way by
boat, but that failed, and he was compelled
to travel overland. II was pretty near dis
coursged of my project after | had been in
your city about week, ~ he said. But at
the end of his six months stay here he left
with $40 He did not stop to add further
to his exchequer until his arrival in Mendo-
ciDo County. There again he was almost
disheartened in learning that he was not old
enough to take up lsnd. But he made q
VOW that he would not return to his mother
in The big city until he could bring
more money than he had given her on his
departure. Days heightened into weeks,
and still he had no regular employment, and
would have starved without the aid OF some
of the citizens to whom he told his story. At
last he CHANGED TO meet with tall, rough
bearded man, who subsequently proved to be
his benefactor in most singular manner.
This man, whose name was Randolph, was
intoxicated, and would have fallen over a
steep grade had he not reached him Just IN
time. Fearing to let Randolph go home
alone, he accom- panied him up q steep
and tortuOus mountain trail to his cabin,
situated on the border of his claim OF 100
acres, which was covered thickly with valua-
BILE timber. Although Randolph loved
liquor he carried within his breast the
warmest of hearts, and on learning the lad
had saved him, and also OF his little bene-
factors forlorn plight, he would not listen
to his leaving him. Four years passed,
during which Randolph and the boot
black worked together. The cabin was
transformed into a coy little dwelling. The
possessions of Randolph, which are now
shared equally between him and his protege
were increased to 800 acres roads and tram
ways had been constructed, and stalwart
woodmen had cut deep swath IN the tim
Der. At the end of another three years,
which brings us up TO the present time,
other improvements have been made and
the little Dootblack is returning to his
mother and little brother after sll these
years a rich merchant. The firm OF Ran
dolph & Co. is estimated to be worth $50, 600.